Chickasaw coach brings home state fast-pitch title for Newcastle High School

CONTRIBUTED BY Gene Lehmann, Media Relations.

This article appeared in the November 2014 edition of the Chickasaw Times

SHAWNEE – Twenty-two times he has coached his team to the state tournament in girl’s fastpitch softball. Twenty-one of those times – five of them with state championships on the line – Mike Crossley’s Newcastle (OK) Racers have been denied.

Oct. 18 that ended.

The Chickasaw coach saw his No. 7-ranked Racers defeat Fort Gibson, the No. 4 ranked team, for his first championship title in 27 years at the Newcastle helm. “It’s a big relief,” Mr. Crossley said. “It’s long overdue.

“For all these years, (Newcastle) has not been counted among the ‘elite’ programs in the state because we didn’t have a state championship. We’ve been here 22 times, but without that state championship brand it didn’t mean much. Now, we have the brand.”

Mr. Crossley, a Del City (OK) High School standout athlete in the 1970s, spent most every weekend he can remember at the homes of his grandparents in Stonewall and Tupelo, Okla., learning, participating and appreciating his Chickasaw heritage. On the paternal side were Stonewall grandparents Lee and Betsy Crossley. On the maternal side were Tupelo grandparents Jim and Ida Frazier.

“I grew up knowing my heritage and I’m so proud to be Chickasaw,” Mr. Crossley said.

Governor Bill Anoatubby said Mike Crossley’s career epitomized the Chickasaw spirit. “Mike Crossley’s dedication and perseverance are great symbols of the indomitable Chickasaw spirit demonstrated by our parents and grandparents throughout our history,” Gov. Anoatubby said. “It is gratifying to know Mike Crossley learned great life lessons from his parents and grandparents. What is even more satisfying is that he passed those lessons on to his niece Kobi, and dozens more players who have played for him.”

By his side “every step of the way” were his parents, Lee Jr. and Nina Crossley, and a niece, Kobi Crossley, an Oklahoma standout third baseman. Kobi will be attending the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma in Chickasha on a full softball scholarship next year.

Several colleges sought Kobi’s talents, including Oklahoma State University. But the fact Jadyn Smith, a Chickasaw who pitched for Mr. Crossley at Newcastle, is head coach at USAO “probably sealed the deal,” Mr. Crossley said with a chuckle.

Earning that first title didn’t come easy. Not surprisingly, Mr. Crossley is pleased about that.

Twice, Mr. Crossley’s Racers faced elimination against tough opponents during regional action. Elk City, one of the state’s softball powerhouses, was leading the Racers 5-4 in the bottom of the last inning with two outs.

“We put together three back-to-back hits to come from behind and advance,” he said of the game. Blanchard also had the Racers on the ropes in the sixth inning of a seven-inning game. Strong hitting and superior defense lead Mr. Crossley’s team to a come-from-behind 5-4 win. After a strong 9-3 win over Tecumseh, it was Kobi who scored the winning run against Hillsdale to send the Racers into the state championship game against Fort Gibson.

“I always tell my teams they must overcome adversity,” Mr. Crossley said. “Adversity doesn’t build character, it reveals character. My main philosophy is to play a tough schedule. You can’t be the best unless you face the best.”

Mr. Crossley maintains it was “business as usual” for him emotionally in the Oct. 18 clash for the state title.

“That is before about 25 of my former players ran out of the bleachers after the win to hug me and hug the girls. They (the former players) were very excited and I just kept telling them ‘it was for you all,’” Mr. Crossley said of the win.